The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-06-29

half mast to show respect for his memory.
That was beautiful way for Democratic
administration to teach loyalty, encourage
patriotism and show decent respect for
the bravery and gallantry OF Union SOL
diersl
But this was only the beginning OF the
work of Copperhead President in rewrlt-
ing if not remaking the history of his coun-
try. Mr.. Cleveland instituted the policy OF
sending abroad as representatives OF TINS
country men whose lives and words mus
inevitably misrepresent the true spirit and
genius OF American institutions. SO anxious
was he TO take up the old disloyal element
of the South, that some of the most inn
portant appointments to the diplomatic
service were of men who had never had
their political disabilities removed. In his
eagerness to recognize the Bourbons OF the
past, he took up men like Lawton and
Jackson, who had never cared enough for
the favor of the Government to ask the
pardon which it had offered to give, until
they found the disability bar to their
office seeking ambitions. But those were
of the type of men whom Mr.. Cleveland
selected to represent the majesty or
tho American Union, and the dignity ana
loyalty of American citizenship. Wher-
ever they might go abroad their presence,
mute though it be, would tell the story that,
in one country at least, treason was re-
warded with the confidence, the favor and
the honors which most nations reserve for
those who needed not to be transformed
from traitors to loyal subjects. Not only
this, but for every Union soldier appointed
to office ut home Mr.. Cleveland appointed
three men who had been rebel soldiers or
rebel sympathizers. Instead of showing at
least equal honor to the men who wore the
blue, he turned out the old soldiers of the
Union, and turned in the men who wore
the gray. The greater part of the general
offices in the departments at Washington,
as we'll as in the foreign service, were filled
from the South, as n Copperheads tribute
of honor to the "lost cause" Thus again
Republican predictions We're fulfilled In
disgraceful and disheartening chapter of
American history.
Following the same policy of directing
public affairs so as to make the Southern
and not the Northern idea of the rebellion
the one for public notice, the admlnistra-
! ton next advised the removal of the plate
bearing the names of the Union victories
that was set up as memorial at the Nor
folk Navy Yard. The ex-rebels had be-
come tired of seeing the mute suggestion
that in certain memorable contests, the
men who fought for one flag and one ma
ton had beaten the men who fought for
another flag and divided nation. And so,
to conciliate the sentiment of those who
! insisted that the "lost cause" was the right
cause, the memorial plate was torn down,
and the Union colors were again trailed in
the dust. That was a beautiful way to
guard the level of liberty" and teach the
youth of the land that there was honor III
loyalty, and shame and dishonor in dis
| loyalty, but that was the way that this adj
ministration took, and marked the fulfill
ment of Republican predictions.
Then came the pension vetoes, and the
| brutal and insulting language In which MIR.
! Cleveland referred to Union soldiers. The
! Democrats had said that the election of
Cleveland would make no difference in the
nations treatment of the men who had
saved its life, but it did. Republicans
warned the country that if the Democratic
party put Copperhead i'll the White
House, they would infict q Copperhead,
Union sodier-h hating policy upon the coun-
! try, and they did. One hundred and nine
teen times did the President differ with
Congress on the treatment to be given the
Union soldier and those dependent upon
him, and always to the misfortune of the
victims of his brutal Indifference to the just
claims upon the nation. Not only did he
refuse the pittance which would have gone
to thousands of needy sufferers, but he
went out of his way to insult with low jibe
and indecent jests the survivors of the
| Union armies. Never in the history of the
country had there been parallel to this
disgraceful and degrading exhibition of the
coarse wit, the consuming egotism and the
brutal Indifference to suffering and the
utter disregard of the claims of patriotism
and loyalty.
Now comes the browning act of this pol
icy of Southern aggression and Northern
humiliation, in Cleveland's order returning
the rebel flags. Taken without warrant of
law or precedent, the property of the Gov
eminent, the seals of nations struggles
and triumphs, he proposes to return to the
South, to be Haunted in the face of the
world. the flags that typify all the wicked
ness of secession and disunion. No Won
der that, like an electric shock, thrill of
indignation went over the country from
Maine to California, and compelled even
this stubborn and self willed President TO
call halt. When arrested by the tremen-
dous upheaval of public opinion, he pleads
that be finds no legal authority for the pro-
posed surrender, and thus creeps out OF
the predicament in which his lack of law
and not Of inclination would have placed
him. SO in each browning act of dishonor
and betrayal of the nations convictions
and sacred sentiments, this Democratic
administration is fulfilling Republican pre-
dictons. They confirm the wisdom and
the truth Of the solemn forebodings with
which patriots anticipated the election OF
Mr.. Cleveland, and if the country is no
lost TO all sense of "A decent regard for the
opinion of mankind, they will prove an eff
fectual warning against the election Of an
other Copperhead President.